Mike’s Fish Tank – Birth of Livebearers

For many tropical fish hobbyists, their first experience with baby fish is often through livebearers.

Without much effort on your part, you may discover that the livebearers you brought home have given birth to a small batch.

Depending on water conditions, temperature, and diet, some livebearers can have broods as often as every four to eight weeks. You can tell if a female is ready to give birth by her enlarged abdomen or a dark spot located near her anal fin.

The spot will turn darker as her delivery date nears. But you must be watchful because some fish will eagerly eat the newly born baby fish.

They do make baby savers, which are small hanging nets or plastic boxes that you can put the baby fish into. This will prevent the adult fish or any fish in your tank from eating your baby fish. These savers are called breeder boxes or breeder nets.They are made in such a way that the box or net still has filtration and heat. Sometimes if you have a heavily planted tank, the babies will hide amongst the plants, but if seen by the bigger fish, they may get eaten.

The babies should be fed a quality food, such as baby brine shrimp, baby fish food, or quality flake food ground into a fine powder. Feed the fry small amounts several times a day. Maintain good water quality by performing regular water changes. Using water from your established aquarium is a great way to acclimate the fry to water conditions of their future home. In about 8 to 10 weeks, the babies should be large enough to release into the main aquarium. But be sure the babies have grown larger than the mouths of adult fish.

Pets A Plenty is located on Rte 281 Cortland, across from Tops Market in the TJ Nails Plaza. 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com